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Janik Seidel, a PhD student at the University of South Australia (UniSA), was paired with two industry partners, CSL and Mass Dynamics.

His PhD project centres on developing process analytical technologies – predominantly raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry – to increase the safety and quality of biopharmaceutical products. Part of this involves working on a model process already developed by CSL.

For Seidel, one of the key benefits of the program has been the support offered by fellow students.

“As a PhD candidate, your work can be lonely, so having 16 other PhD students going through the same issues helps a lot,” he said.

“The program also provides insights into areas outside of academia, giving you a much broader overview of what’s out there in the industry.”

The students are tasked with organising bi-monthly learning sessions featuring highly sought-after industry leaders, equipping them with a variety of transferable soft skills.

Seidel’s UniSA academic supervisor, Professor Peter Hoffmann, said the students have gained access to valuable insights otherwise not accessible to higher degree by research (HDR) students at universities and research institutes.

“The ITDC provides students with the opportunity to connect to other HDR students, pitch their project, organise and host networking sessions and to draw on the collective knowledge and network of the ITDC,” Professor Hoffmann said.

For industry partner Mark Condina, Research Collaboration Lead at Mass Dynamics, one of the key functions of the PhD Plus program is to give students the chance to engage with industry partners beyond the interactions related to their project, and to learn more about the current biomanufacturing ecosystem in Australia.

“I find this to be extremely important for them to understand what the opportunities are and establish new connections to build their network,” he said.

“From an industry perspective, it's been valuable to learn more about the research being undertaken across the industry and the interactions between the universities and industry to establish research programs.”

Seidel’s other industry partner, CSL, is committed to the collaboration with UniSA, where it supports some of the brightest academic minds to complete their doctoral studies aimed at solving real-life complex industrial challenges.

Matthias Zimmermann, CSL Executive Director of Bioprocess Development, said that students are gaining industry experience, skills and a broad understanding of bioanalytical principles to support biopharmaceutical product development.

“With particular focus on state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical approaches, students gain technical area expertise and required industry-specific skills should they wish to progress their careers in this direction.”

UniSA PhD candidate Thabata Muta’s project focuses on enhancing the oral bioavailability of cannabidiol (CBD) as an effective treatment for analgesic, inflammatory conditions, cancer, depression and anxiety.

She was assigned to work with industry partner MedTEC Pharma, a group of licenced cultivators, manufacturers, researchers and developers of medicinal cannabis in the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition to honing her skills in areas such as leadership and communication, Muta has gained valuable insights into translational research, patents and effective strategies for scientific networking and negotiation.

The program's support has likewise had practical implications, offering her the financial security to focus exclusively on her research and access resources, such as funding for animal studies.

Importantly, Muta said the program's influence has extended beyond academic learning – giving her a stronger belief in her abilities and a vision for a future where her research has a meaningful impact on society.

“The PhD+ Program has profoundly impacted my professional trajectory and personal growth,” Muta said.

“It has not only equipped me with skills and insights essential for a successful career in research, but has also provided a supportive community and platform for me to thrive as an innovator.”

Regular interactions with industry mentor Dirk Beelen, Chief Commercial Officer at MedTEC Pharma, have enabled Muta’s continuous learning and improvement in communication, presentation and scientific thinking.

Her academic supervisor Professor Sanjay Garg said Muta has been able to leverage Beelen’s insights from the cannabis industry to create a strong foundation for her project.

“This will also ensure a focus on the translational approach to the project,” he said.

On the flipside, Beelen said the partnership has provided the ideal platform for transferring knowledge from academia to industry, and is an investment in building a talent pipeline.

“By working closely with students and their academic supervisors, I was able to tap into the latest research and innovation,” he said.

“This interaction leads to fresh perspectives, cutting-edge solutions and the development of new technologies that can significantly benefit my industry.

“As an industry supervisor, I have found that working with the student not only helps address immediate project needs but also provides an opportunity to identify potential future employees who are already familiar with our organisation and industry.

“It opens doors to additional partnerships, research opportunities and potential collaborations with other industry players. These connections can extend beyond the scope of the program and result in long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.”

Jaslene Anne Francis from the University of Adelaide’s School of Chemical Engineering is dedicating her PhD project to the design of ready-to-inject aqueous formulations of mRNA-lipid nanoparticles, which have emerged as promising vehicles to deliver a range of therapeutics.

For the PhD+ Program, she was assigned to work with BioCina, a multi-service biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation focusing on the development and cGMP manufacture of microbial-based biological pharmaceuticals, including proteins, plasmid DNA, mRNA, vaccines and biosimilars, from early development through to commercialisation.

Francis said taking part in the PhD+ Program has honed her skills in areas such as pitching, collaborating, networking and understanding the growth of the biomanufacturing market.

“This program has also helped me to learn more about the types of research being carried out across South Australia and how I can contribute to the development alongside other researchers and students,” she said.

Having collaborated with industry throughout his career, Francis’s academic supervisor, Professor Robert Falconer, understands how crucial such partnerships are for keeping research relevant to real-world needs.

“Jaslene’s experience at BioCina should provide her with a better understanding of industrial research and how it can benefit from research done in an academic setting,” he said.

Industry partner BioCina’s Head of Analytical Development, Saif Raisheed, agreed, saying programs such as PhD Plus are mutually beneficial for students and industry.

“On the one hand, they give organisations the chance to assess students as potential future employees. Students also bring fresh perspectives and ideas to research and developmental activities,” Raisheed said.

“On the other hand, students are getting industrial experience and the opportunity to work with the SMEs of specialised disciplines.

“This helps them to develop professional networking and references, which are effective to find jobs after the completion of their studies.”